| Title: | Sensory modulation disorder as a diagnostic marker in fibromyalgia: associations with stress and symptom severity |
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| Authors: | ID Goubar, Patricija (Author)
ID Velnar, Tomaž (Author) |
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| Files: |  PDF - Presentation file, download (278,77 KB)
MD5: E0F173296D9E3AA1733888A9DB3191F6
 URL - Source URL, visit https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/21/2700
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| Language: | English |
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| Typology: | 1.01 - Original Scientific Article |
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| Organization: |  UKC LJ - Ljubljana University Medical Centre
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| Abstract: | Background/Objectives: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a nociplastic pain disorder marked by altered central nervous system processing and abnormal sensory modulation. Diagnosis remains largely symptom-based and lacks objective biomarkers. Sensory modulation disorder (SMD)—impaired regulation of responses to non-noxious input—may represent a clinically relevant diagnostic dimension. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence/diagnostic value of SMD in FM, examine links with symptom severity and stress, and assess its potential for patient stratification. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 182 adults were enrolled (104 FM; 78 controls). Standardized instruments included the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile (AASP), Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Group comparisons, regression, and discriminant analyses evaluated SMD profiles. Results: Compared with controls, FM adults showed higher sensory sensitivity and avoidance (both p < 0.001), lower sensation seeking (p = 0.002), and modestly higher low registration (p = 0.027). Elevated SMD correlated with greater symptom severity and perceived stress. Stress significantly predicted FM’s impact (β = 0.57, p < 0.001). A discriminant model achieved 84% apparent in-sample accuracy for classifying FM severity from sensory/stress profiles. Conclusions: Sensory modulation abnormalities are highly prevalent in FM and show meaningful associations with symptom severity and stress, suggesting that SMD could represent a potential diagnostic dimension and stratification aid. These findings should be interpreted within an exploratory, cross-sectional design. Incorporating sensory modulation assessment into FM evaluation may improve diagnostic precision, reduce delays, and guide individualized management. Confirmation in larger longitudinal studies is warranted. |
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| Keywords: | fibromyalgia, sensation disorders, biomarkers/diagnosis, discriminant analysis, psychological stress, chronic pain, questionnaires, central nervous system, diagnosis, differential, diagnostic markers |
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| Publication status: | Published |
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| Publication version: | Version of Record |
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| Year of publishing: | 2025 |
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| Number of pages: | 15 str. |
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| Numbering: | Vol. 15, issue 21, [article no.] 2700 |
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| PID: | 20.500.12556/DiRROS-28884  |
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| UDC: | 616.7-009.7 |
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| ISSN on article: | 2075-4418 |
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| DOI: | 10.3390/diagnostics15212700 |
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| COBISS.SI-ID: | 255237635 |
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| Note: | Nasl. z nasl. zaslona;
Opis vira z dne 29. 10. 2025;
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| Publication date in DiRROS: | 10.04.2026 |
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| Views: | 29 |
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| Downloads: | 15 |
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